Bobby Levin

Robert J. (Bobby) Levin (born November 19, 1957) is an American professional bridge player. He may be known best as the youngest winner of the world championship for national teams, namely the 1981 Bermuda Bowl,[1] and as a five-time winner of the Cavendish Invitational Pairs, the world's leading contest for cash prizes, with his regular partner Steve Weinstein.[2] As of June 2013, Levin ranks number 20 among Open World Grand Masters[3] and his wife Jill ranks number 21 among Women World Grand Masters.[4]

Levin–Weinstein were one-third of USA1[a] in the 2011 Bermuda Bowl, where they finished fourth.[5][6] Beginning mid-2012 they joined Nick Nickell's team.[7] The professional teams hired by Nickell had won four of the preceding nine biennial Bermuda Bowls, from 1995.[8][9]

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Career[edit]

Levin was born in Southampton, Long Island, New York. As a 13-year-old, he won the first tournament event he ever entered – the Men's Pairs at a New York sectional – making him the youngest winner in the history of the event.

When Levin was 15, the family moved to Miami. In March 1973, he became the youngest life master in the history of the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) at the age of 15 years and 4 months, a record since broken. Once in Miami, Levin met two players – Billy Seamon and Russell Arnold – who had a profound influence on his bridge career. By the age of 17, Levin was playing professionally on teams with Arnold, sponsored by Bud Reinhold.

About a year later, Levin moved to Chicago to work as an options trader. When the market crashed in 1987, Levin was back to Florida, entering the real estate business with one of his brothers. He moved to the Orlando area in 1988 and lived there for twelve years.

Levin and his wife since January 1998, Jill, who is also a world champion bridge player,[4] reside in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania (as of 2010).[10] Bobby's son Andrew is a college student and Jill's sons Shane and Justin Blanchard are "upcoming bridge players" (as of 2010).[11]

Notes[edit]

^From 1991 the U.S. is represented by two teams in the biennial Bermuda Bowl tournament, which now comprises 22 teams. The United States playoff winner is commonly designated 'USA1' and the runner-up 'USA2' but they contend equally for the world championship.